To truly launch the event
To discover
The full program of the Olympic Games
The first matches (in softball, women's and men's football) have, since Wednesday, launched the program for the Tokyo Olympics.
But it is traditionally the opening ceremony that marks the great departure.
It gives momentum.
Spectacular or boring, the imposed figure is one of the markers of the edition.
It showcases the vitality, creativity and history of the host country.
Five years ago, Rio had successfully entered the scene.
Read also: Olympic Games: 950 people at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo for the opening ceremony
To discover the identity of the last torchbearer
The secret is more or less well kept.
In Rio de Janeiro, five years ago, the names of Pelé or Gustavo Kuerten had been whispered but it was the marathoner Vanderlei de Lima who appeared in full light.
In 2004, leading 7 km from the finish, he was delayed by an imbalance.
He was able to leave but had to settle for the bronze medal.
He had not rebelled and had won the admiration of the Olympic world.
The privilege of being the last carrier was the symbol of the recognition of his Olympic spirit.
To accompany the novelty of the flag bearer tandem
It was a wish of the International Olympic Committee.
And the majority of the National Olympic Committees have appointed a duo.
Clarisse Agbegnenou and Samir Aït Saïd will pave the way for the French delegation.
Jérémy Chardy, who is discovering the Olympic Games, sums up: “
It's always a special moment.
Entering the stadium with the delegation, it would have been better with a full stadium but we will have to take advantage of the moment.
"
To read also: Olympic Games: a tandem of French flag bearers strong in symbols and ambitious
For the unpublished
Behind closed doors (reserved for a few hundred VIPs), the opening ceremony will be shunned by the main Japanese sponsors of the Olympics who do not want to be associated with an event that the majority of the population does not want.
However, the ceremony remains open to all athletes present in the Olympic Village and in the adjoining villages (due to the constraints linked to the health situation, the athletes' attendance time is, this year, limited on the site, which will limit the number of each delegation), in accordance with their management.
However, only six officials per national committee are allowed to take part in the parade.
Read also: Olympics 2020: the person in charge of the opening ceremony sacked because of a joke on the Holocaust dating from 1998
For the ceremony announced "
sober
"
The context will be at the heart of the ceremony.
Marco Balich, executive producer of the ceremony (who was already officiating in Rio in 2016) told Reuters: “
It will be a much more sober ceremony. Nevertheless with a beautiful Japanese aesthetic. Very Japanese but also in tune with today's feeling, reality. The pandemic of course has consequences. The mass choreographies obviously do not take place, because of the Covid-19. In Rio, there were 12,600 athletes and officials in the parade. I'm afraid there will be less this time around with a serious distance between the athletes in the stadium. I think the great achievement of the creative team at this ceremony is to have been able to accept the empty seats as a fact and focus on the athletes. It will be very significant, far from the bombast of previous ceremonies. The time has come. It's a great effort. A very sincere, honest ceremony, nothing wrong.
"